Maren thought of all the times Edna had snapped at her for not standing in the right line at the post office. That seemed unlikely.

“Well, that settles it.” Lishta poked the hairpin back into her braid. “We’ve got a nightmare thief on our hands.”

The jar of tide-pool water slid out of Maren’s fingers and teetered on the edge of the shelf. As she lunged to catch it, her foot slipped off the ladder and she swung sideways, nearly taking out an entire row of dreams and ingredients.

“MALADROITE,” yelled Henri.

“Careful, dear,” murmured Lishta.

It was true. They did have a nightmare thief on their hands. She was teetering on a ladder, about to explode into a million tiny, glimmering particles of guilt.

“We’ll get to the bottom of this, Edna,” said Lishta, opening jars and boxes and stuffing sachets into a plastic packet. “In the meantime, here’s what I want you to do. Do you have any knee-high stockings?”

Edna lifted an eyebrow.

“Yes, I know it sounds rather bizarre,” said Lishta. “But if you can cover your mouth while you’re sleeping, but still be able to breathe, it’ll make things harder for anyone trying to slip you nightmares.” She pondered a box of light-yellow sunshine dreams, then added three to the packet. “I recommend those knee-high nylon stockings you can get at the drugstore. Whichever color you like. Put it on your head and roll it down over your face before you go to sleep.”

“You can’t be serious,” sputtered Edna.

Lishta leaned across the counter and squeezed her hand. “I am. Until we know what we’re dealing with, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“You need to keep a better eye on those dreams,” said Edna. “People shouldn’t be able to just give them out like that.”

“You’re absolutely right,” said Lishta. “I’m going to lock the rest of our nightmares in my safe and stop selling them until we find the culprit. In the meantime, please take these, free of charge.” She held out the packet she’d put together. “It’s an assortment of our most carefree and comforting dreams. And the white ones are erasers, just in case you do somehow end up with a nightmare again.”

Edna’s nostrils flared. “I’d rather not mess with any more dream magic.”

“I understand.” Lishta pushed the packet closer. “But please take them, just in case you change your mind.”

“You’d better get this figured out fast,” said Edna. “I’d hate to have to go to the police. You and I both know how flustered they get with magical affairs.”

Lishta nodded, her face grim. “I assure you I’ll do everything in my power to get to the bottom of this. And I appreciate you coming to me first, Edna. Take care, and remember the knee-high stockings.”